Health

Schoolgirl dies after being given cervical cancer jab

by generaldecay | September 28, 2009 at 10:40 pm

265 views | 49 Recommendations | 16 comments

A 14-year-old schoolgirl has died after being given a vaccine to protect against cervical cancer as part of the national immunisation programme. Some of her classmates suffered side-effects such as dizziness and nausea.

Well, this is going to up the anti, I mean ante, on the debate about the cervical cancer jab for young women.

More than 1.4 million have been given the jab since the vaccination programme began last year. This is believed to be the first death. By 2011 all girls under 18 will have been offered the vaccine.

It is not clear, as yet, if the girl's death was linked to the human papilloma virus (HPV) jab, but urgent investigations are underway. One expert says that there is no cause for concern.

Professor Malcolm McCrae, from the University of Warwick’s Department of Biological Sciences, said that it was a well-tested vaccine and that it was unwise to speculate about a cause of death until test results were known. “People will be concerned when they hear of the tragic death of a young girl, but this is a well-tested vaccine,” he said. “As with any medical intervention, vaccines can on occasion see tragic consequences, but overall this is an extremely well-tested vaccine which has been produced in response to a fairly severe health problem.”

I'm very much in favour of administering this jab to young women - any measures to prevent cervical cancer are welcome. Further, there is no evidence at all to suggest that delivering the jab will make girls 'promiscuous' or more likely to engage in unsafe sexual practices. (That was never my assertion, but I point it out here as it is the main objection of opponents of the jab.) It will be interesting to see how this case affects the current policy, though.

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Colonel Boyle

at 00:10 on September 29th, 2009

There've been something like 1.4 million administrations of this jab in the UK alone and this is the first reportedly connected death. From a sample size that large, either coincidence or rare allergic reaction is eventually going to happen.

Wait for the Daily Mail to start howling from the sidelines though....

generaldecay

at 01:13 on September 29th, 2009

Colonel, agreed on all counts. The Daily Mail is going to be all over this!

Thanks for the comment/ recommendation.

Paschen

at 00:27 on September 29th, 2009

A one in a million exception? Sad, yes. But, Certainly no reason to panic.

generaldecay

at 01:14 on September 29th, 2009

Paschen, thanks for the comment/ recommendation. I agree - no cause for panic at all. (Although I feel for her family.) It shall be interesting to see how it plays out and what the investigation reveals.

happybrunette23

at 03:14 on September 29th, 2009

I was 22 when I got the first jab in the first course out of three. My sister just turned 12 when she got it at the same time as me. She was the first girl in her school to do it. Nothing scary happened.

melanie1alison2

at 03:33 on September 29th, 2009

"One expert says that there is no cause for concern."

Isn't that what experts are told to say?

generaldecay

at 03:55 on September 29th, 2009

No. Another expert could easily come out and express concern, and an opposing viewpoint, if s/he saw fit. Indeed, that will likely happen in the next few days if this issue gains momentum.

melanie1alison2

at 05:28 on September 29th, 2009

Most experts are on somebodies payroll - in this case maybe a government who decided to vaccinate and does not want to recant its position; or perhaps even a pharmaceutical companys expert?

Anyway, I agree with you: 1 in a million is very sad, but no reason to panic. My point here was solely, that experts are paid to be "the expert" and often biased. Experts tend to be found where the money is, not necessarily the truth.

generaldecay

at 00:38 on September 30th, 2009

I don't know. Most academic researchers are quite impartial (at least here in the UK).

But, yes, no reason to panic here. I hope...

jazzyzazzy

at 16:29 on September 29th, 2009

The poor kids parents must be in a terrible state about this.Afterall they must have given permission for her to have the jab.If Only If Only eh.

generaldecay

at 00:37 on September 30th, 2009

It is devastating for them, Jazzy. I can't imagine how they must feel.

Thanks for the recommendation and comment.

Amy Judd

at 16:42 on September 29th, 2009

Tina wrote this story earlier this year about Gabi Swank, and even though these cases are rare, they're so sad.

generaldecay

at 00:36 on September 30th, 2009

Thanks for the link, Amy. I hadn't seen Tina's story before. It certainly raises some serious questions...

Colonel Boyle

at 00:19 on September 30th, 2009

The BBC are reporting that this death wasn't down to the jab according to preliminary findings from the autopsy.

generaldecay

at 00:35 on September 30th, 2009

Colonel, they are indeed. I've just highlighted that very piece. :)

Karen miles (not verified)

at 09:24 on October 1st, 2009

Get real people! Open your eyes, are you all asleep. There have been many serious side effects due to this vaccine. Just do your research and you will then be able to make an informed choice as to whether your precious children should have this terrible vaccine. Do you have any idea what is put into this vaccine? I doubt it very much. Educate yourself and read who has the most to gain from putting this poison into our children.